More Ivy & Trad Illustrations

I have a penchant for Japanese illustrations of the trad and Ivy League variety. I recently added two new books to my collection and I thought that I would share a few illustrations from each.

As you can see below the styles differ dramatically between the two books. The first set of 5 illustrations are from the Illustrated Book of Ivy. Most trad and ivy fans are well aware of these illustrations as they are no stranger to the menswear blog and style circuit. These illustrations are pure fun. I have probably selected the most conservative illustrations that the book has to offer. It also features cool illustrations of patterns, shoes, ties, and of course a handful of outfits that will send traditionalists into a frenzy.

The second set of illustrations are from the Official American Trad Handbook. This book was a bit of a miss pick. Primarily because the text to illustration ration is 99 to 1 (and I am only fluent in Japanese Illustrations, not text). It also features a few illustration from the first book. Despite these two drawbacks I was pleasantly surprised with the art. I can easily imagine these illustrations being part of a comic strip.

I am very happy with my purchases. These books are great to use as coffee table books, but not so great for scholarly research. I don’t look to these illustrations for “the rules” or to better understand trad as a whole. I simply enjoy them for what they are which is exactly what I hope that you do, too.

oxford cloth button down

Jerrod Swanton is a simple man interested in simple, classic, and traditional style.

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13 Comments on "More Ivy & Trad Illustrations"

Fantastic illustrations – thank you for posting. Also, great – albeit a bit exaggerated – illustration of the natural shoulder, but exaggerate or not, it highlights how wonderfully a simple, not-padded shoulder compliments that natural line of the body.

What a pleasure to see all of those gents smiling. Like many of us, they are obviously happy wearing Ivy/Trad clothing.
A welcome contrast to the grim expressions on the faces of the human models in so many Ivy/Trad ads and catalogs.
Like Charlottesville, I had never before seen the second group of illustrations and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Hi. I just ordered a strap belt from Trafelga. I recalled you mentioned about that. I also remembered you had to cut it little bit to fit your waist. My dress pants size is 32″. I was sort of hesitant ordering size 34″, although the store recommended 2″ lager than my pants. What size did you order, but have to cut actually to fit your waist? Thanks very much.

Very interesting. And the text is revealing, too. In the second set there are all kinds of instructions about how to wear the clothes, when they are worn and all — a kind of comprehensive guide. It is remarkable what beautiful, trad clothes one finds in Japan: much more widespread than in the US, and much more appreciated.

And yet… most Japanese “salarymen” dress in nondescript navy suits of questionable quality and fiber content, with poorly-fitting white shirts, whatever tie happened to be lying around, and cheap clunky black shoes with a high percentage of manmade material that have had the heel cups semi-flattened because they can’t be bothered to tie and untie the laces.

Thanks for quick reply, and leading me to a great belt store. I find great straps there too. Sorry again but what size would you based on your personal experience recommend me wearing 32″ dress pants to buy there? Thanks very much.